The Marriage Contract (Marriage #3) - Cathy Maxwell Page 0,48

devine his thinking. She bit her bottom lip, debating.

Aidan leaned closer, wanting to hear whatever she said. Even if all she did was ask what plans he had for the horse, it would be an opening—one they could both accept. From there, they would talk about horses in general or about the castle, or maybe even other things that had nothing to do with the running of the estate.

But it was not to be. Before she could speak, Davey Mowat shouted for him from the top of the cliff, his tone desperate. “Laird! Laird!”

Aidan moved back on the beach so he could be seen from the cliff. “What is it, Davey?”

“Soldiers are coming! Hugh sent me to warn you.”

“Soldiers?” Anne repeated. “Why would they be here?”

Aidan didn’t answer. Instead, he took her hand and started up the hill.

In the courtyard all was confusion until Aidan appeared. “Go back to your kitchen, Mrs. MacEwan,” he said. The cook immediately retreated, taking her daughter with her.

“Do you think—?” Hugh started, and then stopped when he realized what he had been about to reveal.

Aidan frowned. Deacon stood on the path leading to the stables. Several of Fang’s sons surrounded him. “It’s Lambert, Tiebauld,” he called. “I feel it in my bones.”

Turning to Anne, Aidan said, “You go in the house and don’t come out, no matter what happens. Make certain Cora and the children stay there, too.”

“Yes, Aidan, but—”

“Anne, this is no time to argue.”

Chapter 10

Anne stared into his intent eyes and closed her mouth.

Dancing with him on the beach had been a magic moment. She knew he had pulled her close. His hand on her waist had lingered possessively, and in the depths of his eyes, she’d seen longing…longing for her. She’d despaired of ever meeting a man who would look at her in such a way. A man she could in turn love, honor, and respect. A man like Aidan.

But now, he was back to the domineering, in-control man who was laird of Kelwin Castle.

“Be careful,” she murmured.

His proud, devil-may-care grin flashed at her. “I’m always careful. Now, go inside.”

Anne submissively did as he’d ordered, herding Cora and the children in front of her. But once inside, obedience ended.

Aidan had secrets. She’d heard Major Lambert’s name before. In a second, she remembered: Sir Rupert had asked Lady Waldo about a Major Lambert. He’d been worried when he’d said the name. At the time, every one of Anne’s senses had screamed a warning.

Now, a sense of foreboding even stronger than before shuddered through her.

“Take the children to the servants’ quarters,” she ordered Cora. “You’ll be safe there.”

“What about you, my lady?”

“I’ll wait here.” Cora started to leave, but Anne called her back. “Do you know why the army would pay us a visit, Cora? Who is this Lambert?”

Cora shrugged. “They may be passing through and need food and drink.”

And pigs can fly, too, Anne thought; but she kept her comment to herself. “I pray it is true.”

“I do also,” Cora agreed softly, and then left the room with the girls.

Anne tiptoed back into the alcove and cracked open the front door in time to see a party of fifty soldiers march with a sense of purpose through Kelwin’s arched gates. Sunlight caught and gleamed off of their fixed bayonets. It was a wicked sight.

At the head of their party rode a wigged officer. His boots shone with the effects of champagne blacking. His gold braid seemed brighter than the sun. He had a great hooked nose and an aura of aristocratic disdain.

In contrast, her husband was in his usual shirt sleeves, leather breeches, and his well-worn favorite pair of boots. Still he appeared every inch the nobleman.

The dogs were barking wildly. Aidan ordered some of the lads to shepherd them up to the stables.

The officer signaled his troops to halt when he reached the center of the courtyard. The smallest dog, York, had escaped being corralled and stood his ground close to Aidan, barking away.

Aidan swooped York up. “Here, now, stop yapping.”

The pup obeyed.

“Good morning, Lord Tiebauld,” the officer said, looking down his imperial nose at Aidan, who stood defiantly before the castle door, his overlong hair blowing in the breeze.

“Good morning, Major Lambert.”

“Quite a menagerie of curs you have here,” the major observed.

His tart verdict irritated Anne. She was gladdened when Aidan said, “If you don’t like my dogs, you may leave, Major.”

“Oh no, I can’t do that,” the major said, with a touch of carefully feigned boredom. “I’m here searching